Wonderful Tunes Provided By Friends. Wild Tangents Provided By Me.

Posts tagged ‘Jo Stafford’

I believe “County Fair” and the other songs in the clip were first used in the 1948 film Disney film “So Dear To My Heart” which was slated to be Disney’s first live action feature until distributor RKO convinced Disney that no one would buy a non-animated film from him. This Torme, Stafford, Clooney, and Byrnes version is from a Jo Stafford’s 1961 TV show.

For the kids, Edd “Kookie” Byrnes starred in the 60s TV Series “77 Sunset Strip” as Gerald Lloyd ‘Kookie’ Kookson III and he was a teen dream! Fans of the 1978 movie “Grease” may remember him as Vince Fontaine.

Back in the 60’s I think there was some unwritten law that if you were a popular TV star you also had to record a pop song. Edd was no exception. Here he is with Connie Stevens doing their duet “Kookie Kookie Lend Me Your Comb.” I’m pretty sure no one was ever hip enough to understand these lyrics.

Someone mentioned that popular music has lost its sense of fun. I actually like modern pop music… well okay “like” is a bit strong. Let’s just say I find it inoffensive and pleasant in small doses but I agree, it’s really not fun. “County Fair” and “Kookie’s Comb” would never get air time in this day and age and that’s a real shame. Pop music is made for people younger than me so it could just be my age talking but without a little “Kung Fu Fighting” to break it up, the cookie cutter monotony is terribly grating after a while. So, once again Celine Dion I hope you’re taking notes here because you could single handedly revitalize the music industry. Rick Dees’ “Disco Duck” is ripe for a remake!

“The Gentleman Is A Dope.” is from the Rogers and Hammerstein musical “Allegro” which opened in 1947. The song became a hit for Jo the same year. I don’t know exactly what the clip is from but if I had to venture a guess I’d say it’s from “The Jo Stafford Show” (1954). She’s accompanied by her hubby Paul Weston and his orchestra.

Most men I know are decent human beings who don’t deserve grief so I try to avoid man bashing as much as possible. Unless, of course, the insults are set to a catchy tune because I must confess I love songs like this! This is clearly a song about unrequited love but I think it also doubles as a pretty good anthem for any guy who makes a foolish error in judgment or a bone head mistake. What amazes me most is that a song written so long ago could EXACTLY describe my own relationship with Denzel Washington!